Weather override irrigation control systems and methods

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, provide an irrigation sensor system, comprising: a rain funnel comprising an upper opening and at least one wall tapering from the upper opening to a lower aperture; and a tipping bucket positioned to receive water falling from the lower aperture while the tipping bucket is positioned such that a central longitudinal axis of the tipping bucket is not aligned with an axis extending through the lower aperture of the funnel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/611,981, filed Dec. 29, 2017, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to an external sensor system andexternal irrigation interruption.

BACKGROUND

Irrigation is critical to maintaining healthy plant life in manydifferent geographic regions. Applying irrigation water, however, can becostly. Accordingly, there is a need to improve the control ofirrigation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatuses and methodspertaining an external sensor system and external irrigationinterruption. This description includes drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary irrigationinterruption system, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 2A-2D are a side view, a front view, an overhead perspective view,and a side perspective view of an exemplary sensor system, in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 2E shows an overhead perspective view of the exemplary sensorsystem with the funnel housing, debris frame and debris screen removed,in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2F shows a lower perspective view of an exemplary sensor system, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2G shows a perspective view of an exemplary funnel housing andexemplary debris frame separated from the central housing, in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 3A illustrates a partially transparent, side view of an exemplarysensor system, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of the funnel housing, cooperated withthe debris frame, relative to the tipping bucket, in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of the funnel housing, cooperated withthe debris frame, relative to the tipping bucket, in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 3D illustrates a partial, simplified side view of an exemplarytipping bucket relative to the funnel and drip extension when the sensorsystem is mounted at an angle from vertical, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates an overhead perspective view of an exemplary tippingbucket and trigger placement in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified side view of an exemplary tipping bucketand an exemplary bucket holder, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of exemplary tipping bucket and anexemplary bucket holder, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an interior of an exemplarycentral housing with the bucket holder secured within the centralhousing and the tipping bucket secured with the bucket holder, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates an elevated perspective view of an exemplary centralhousing comprising a protection diaphragm, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary centralhousing and a temperature sensor, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 shows an exposed perspective view of an exemplary set of louvreplates positioned relative to an exemplary temperature sensor and atipping bucket, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 11 shows an exposed perspective view of the exemplary set of louvreplates cooperated with a base housing, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary control board andexemplary power source holder, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary base housing witha control board cooperated with the base housing, in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 14 shows a side view of an exemplary sensor system with the funnelhousing opened relative to the central housing, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 15 illustrates an overhead perspective view of an exemplary sensorsystem, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 16 illustrates a lower perspective view of the exemplary sensorsystem of FIG. 15, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 17 illustrates a simplified view of an exemplary controllerinterface system, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIGS. 18A-18H illustrate simplified representations of user interfaces1800 that can be utilized with the controller interface system, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 19 illustrates a simplified flow diagram of an exemplary process ofcontrolling irrigation through an external interrupt, in accordance withsome embodiments; and

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary system for use in implementing methods,techniques, circuits, systems, devices, apparatuses, servers andsources, in accordance with some embodiments.

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity andhave not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensionsand/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures maybe exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improveunderstanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also,common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in acommercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order tofacilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of thepresent invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described ordepicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in theart will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence isnot actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have theordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressionsby persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above exceptwhere different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing the general principles ofexemplary embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to “oneembodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments”, “an implementation”,“some implementations”, “some applications”, or similar language meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment ofthe present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in oneembodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “in some embodiments”, “in someimplementations”, and similar language throughout this specificationmay, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems,apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to control irrigationthrough the interruption of an irrigation controller based on locallydetected weather data. In some embodiments, provide an irrigation sensorsystem, comprising: a rain funnel comprising an upper opening and atleast one wall tapering from the upper opening to a lower aperture; anda tipping bucket positioned to receive water falling from the loweraperture while the tipping bucket is positioned such that a centrallongitudinal axis of the tipping bucket is not aligned with an axisextending through the lower aperture of the funnel.

Some embodiments provide an irrigation sensor system is provided thatincludes: a rain funnel comprising an upper opening and at least onewall tapering from the upper opening to a lower aperture, a tipping rainbucket sensor, temperature sensor, a protection diaphragm, a triggerdetector, communication transceiver, and a sensor control circuit. Thetipping rain bucket sensor in some embodiments comprises: a tippingbucket positioned aligned with the lower aperture of the funnel andcomprising a first rain bucket, a second rain bucket positioned adjacentthe first rain bucket and an extended wall extending away from andbetween the first and second rain buckets to alternately align a firstface extending from the first rain bucket and a second face extendingfrom the second rain bucket with the lower aperture; a bucket holder,wherein the tipping bucket is pivotally secured with the bucket holderenabling the tipping bucket to transition between a first position withthe first face of the extended wall aligned with the aperture to directwater into the first rain bucket and a second position with the secondface of the extended wall aligned with the aperture to direct water intothe second rain bucket; and a trigger secured relative to the extendedwall to transition between a first station when the tipping bucket is inthe first position, and a second station when the tipping bucket is inthe second position. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor ispositioned below the rain sensor and vertically aligned with at least aportion of the tipping bucket. The protection diaphragm is positionedbetween the rain sensor and the temperature sensor, and comprises awater disbursement plate and a plurality of drain apertures. The waterdisbursement plate extends over the temperature sensor and to theplurality of drain apertures causing rain water released by the firstand second rain buckets to drain through the drain apertures away fromthe temperature sensor. The trigger detector is positioned relative tothe trigger and configured to activate in response to the triggerpassing within a threshold distance of the trigger detector and output atip signal. The sensor control circuit communicatively couples with thetrigger detector and the transceiver, wherein the sensor control circuitis configured to receive the tip signals and cause the transceiver totransmit rain signals corresponding to a predefined amount ofaccumulated rain in response to the tipping of the tipping bucket.

Some embodiments provide an irrigation interruption system thatcomprises: a sensor system, an override controller interface system; andan irrigation controller separate from the sensor system and thecontroller interface system. The sensor system includes sensor controlcircuit, a temperature sensor, and a tipping rain bucket sensor that isconfigured to communicate detected rain signals corresponding to anamount of accumulated rain in response to each tipping of the rainsensor. The override controller interface system is separate from andcommunicatively coupled with the sensor system, and comprises aninterface control circuit. The irrigation controller comprises anirrigation control circuit, a set of activator output couplersconfigured to couple to remote irrigation valves, and memory coupled tothe irrigation control circuit and configured to store at least onewatering schedule to be executed by the irrigation control circuit indefining when to turn on and off the irrigation valves. Further, theinterface control circuit is configured to receive the rain signals andtemperature sensor data from the sensor system, determine when asummation of accumulated rain over a first threshold period of time isgreater than a user defined first accumulated rain threshold, interruptactivation of the valves when the summation of accumulated rain isgreater than the first accumulated rain threshold, identify when a userdefined first resume irrigation threshold time period has expired sincea last of the rain signals is received, and remove the interruption ofthe activation of the valves to allow further activation of the valvesby the irrigation controller.

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary irrigationinterruption system 100, in accordance with some embodiments. Theirrigation interruption system includes one or more sensor systems 102,one or more override controller interface systems 104 and at least oneirrigation controller 106. The irrigation controller 106, in someembodiments, is a stand-alone and/or satellite irrigation controllerconfigured to couple with one of multiple output couplers 110 configuredto couple with and drive a respective one of multiple valve activationoutput lines 108 that each electrically couple with one or more valvesand/or other such irrigation devices. For example, the irrigationcontroller 106 may be an irrigation controller from the Rain BirdCorporation (e.g., SST Series controller, ESP-LX series controller,ESP-modular series controller, ESP-SMTe series controller, ESP-TM2Series controller, etc.), or other irrigation controllers that areconfigured to implement a watering schedule to activate irrigationvalves to control the delivery water to water distributing devices(e.g., sprinklers, drip valves, etc.).

The irrigation controller 106 includes one or more irrigation controlcircuits 112 that control the activation of one or more of the set ofactivator output couplers 110 in accordance with the irrigation wateringschedule executed by the irrigation control circuit and defining when toturn on and off the irrigation valves. Typically, the irrigation controlcircuit includes and/or couples with computer memory that stores one ormore watering schedules, programming, code, operating parameters, logdata, timing information, date information, restrictions, locationinformation, and/or other relevant information for use by the irrigationcontrol circuit and/or to be communicated by the irrigation controller.

The sensor system 102 is distinct and separate from the controllerinterface system 104 and the irrigation controller 106. Typically, thesensor system is placed in a location remote from the controllerinterface system and the irrigation controller in a place exposed toweather conditions, including rain, snow, wind and the like. The sensorsystem 102 is in communication with the controller interface system 104,and typically does not communicate directly with the irrigationcontroller 106. In some implementations, the sensor system includes oneor more wired and/or wireless transmitter and/or transceivers 114. Insome embodiments, the transceiver is a wireless transceiver providingcommunication between the sensor system 102 and the controller interfacesystem 104 is via wireless communication, such as but not limited toWi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, radio frequency, other such wirelesscommunication methods, or a combination of two or more of such wirelesscommunication methods. In some implementations, the sensor system may becoupled via wired, fiber optic, a distributed communication network,and/or other such methods with the controller interface system.

The controller interface system 104 includes an interface controlcircuit 116, one or more wired and/or wireless transmitter and/ortransceivers 118, and at least one switch system 120. The controllerinterface system 104 is typically in wireless communication with thesensor system 102, which in some embodiments is configured to measuretemperature and an amount of accumulated rainfall. The controllerinterface system utilizes sensor data received from the sensor system102 to determine whether and when to interrupt irrigation without inputfrom the irrigation controller 106. Accordingly, the controllerinterface system provides a rainfall and/or temperature cut off featureto the irrigation system.

Again, the sensor system 102 is positioned separate and remote from theirrigation controller 106 at a location to receive rainfall (e.g., on aroof, on a fence, on a light pole, etc.). Sensor data signals aretransmitted from the sensor system to the controller interface system104. In some implementations, the controller interface system 104 islocated near the irrigation controller 106. A threshold level ofrainfall accumulation and/or a threshold temperature are utilized by thecontroller interface system to determine when to interrupt theactivation of one or more valves, pumps, and/or other such devices. Insome embodiments, the controller interface system 104 includes a userinterface to allow a user to set a threshold level of rainfallaccumulation above which point irrigation is intended to be interrupted,a temperature threshold, a threshold irrigation delay duration, and/orother such parameters. For example, the user can define at what level ofrainfall the user would like irrigation to be interrupted and/or definebelow what temperature the user would like irrigation to be interrupted.The controller interface system 104 compares the signals received fromthe sensor system and determines whether one or more rainfall thresholdsand/or one or more temperature thresholds have been met. When one orboth thresholds have been exceeded, the controller interface systeminterrupts irrigation being executed and/or to be executed by theirrigation controller over at least a threshold period of time.

In some embodiments, the controller interface system in interruptingirrigation opens one or more switches of a switch system 120 that iselectrically in line with the common return line 122 that is coupled tothe irrigation valves, pumps and other such devices controlled by theirrigation controller 106. By opening or “breaking” the common line 122,the electrical path from the output line 108 to the valves and back tothe irrigation controller via the common line 122 is opened resulting inthe loss of a power signal being delivered to the valve and thus,stopping irrigation. The interruption occurs outside of the irrigationcontroller 106 and typically without the irrigation controller beingnotified, signaled or otherwise having knowledge of such interruption.When a switch in the controller interface system is opened, the commonline 122 is effectively opened causing the interruption of theirrigation without action by the irrigation controller, and in someinstances, with notification and/or detection by the irrigationcontroller. In other applications, the switch system 120 is coupled tothe sensor input 128 and when a switch is opened, the voltage detectedby the irrigation controller across the sensor input 128 changes and theirrigation controller identifies that the irrigation controller shouldinterrupt its own irrigation until the switch is closed.

FIGS. 2A-2D are a side view, a front view, an overhead perspective view,and a side perspective view of an exemplary sensor system 102, inaccordance with some embodiments. The sensor system includes a housing,which in some implementations comprises a funnel housing 202, a centralhousing 204 and a base housing 206. The central housing 204, in someapplications cooperates with a mounting system 208, which may enable thesensor system to be tilted to allow for mounting on surfaces havingdifferent angles, and in some instances allows tilting in at least twodimensions. Typically, the sensor system includes a debris screen 212,and in some embodiments includes a debris frame with which the debrisscreen is secured. The debris frame is configured to removably cooperatewith the funnel housing 202. In some embodiments, the sensor system 102includes a set of multiple louver plates 214.

FIG. 2E shows an overhead perspective view of the exemplary sensorsystem 102 with the funnel housing 202, debris frame 210 and debrisscreen 212 removed, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2F shows alower perspective view of an exemplary sensor system 102, in accordancewith some embodiments. FIG. 2G shows a perspective view of an exemplaryfunnel housing 202 and exemplary debris frame 210 separated from thecentral housing, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3Aillustrates a partially transparent, side view of an exemplary sensorsystem 102, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3B illustrates aside view of the funnel housing 202, cooperated with the debris frame210, relative to the tipping bucket 314, in accordance with someembodiments. FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of the funnel housing 202,cooperated with the debris frame 210, relative to the tipping bucket314, in accordance with some embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-3D, the funnel housing 202 includes a rain funnel302 that has an upper opening through which rain falls and one or morefunnel walls 304 tapering from the upper opening to a lower aperture306. The sensor system further includes a rain sensor system. In someembodiments, the rain sensor system is implemented through a tippingrain bucket sensor 308. The sensor system, in at least some instances,includes one or more temperature sensors 310. Further, the sensor system102 includes at least one sensor control circuit 312 communicativelycoupled with the tipping rain bucket sensor 308 and the temperaturesensor 310. As introduced above, the sensor system 102 further includesone or more communication transceivers 114, which are communicativelycoupled with the sensor control circuit 312. The sensor control circuitis configured to receive tip signals from the tipping bucket rain sensor308 and temperature data from the temperature sensor 310. Further, thesensor control circuit is configured to cause the transceiver totransmit rain signals corresponding to a predefined amount ofaccumulated rain in response to the tipping of the tipping bucket and/ortransmit temperature data or signals to the controller interface system104. As indicated above, in some implementations the transceiver 114 isa wireless transceiver configured to at least wirelessly transmit sensordata (e.g., rain signals and/or temperature data) to the controllerinterface system 104.

The tipping rain bucket sensor 308 includes a tipping bucket 314pivotably secured with a bucket holder 316 enabling the tipping bucket314 to transition between first and second positions. FIG. 4 illustratesan overhead perspective view of an exemplary tipping bucket 314 inaccordance with some embodiments. FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified viewof an exemplary tipping bucket 314 and an exemplary bucket holder 316,in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates a perspectiveview of exemplary tipping bucket 314 and an exemplary bucket holder 316,in accordance with some embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 2A-6, thetipping bucket 314 includes a first rain bucket 402 and a second rainbucket 404 that is positioned adjacent the first rain bucket. Anextended wall 406 is included that extends away from and between thefirst and second rain buckets. The extended wall includes a first face408 forming part of and extending from the first bucket 402, and anopposing, mirrored second face 410 forming part of and extending fromthe second bucket 404. In some embodiments, a trigger 320 is securedrelative to the extended wall, and typically on an exterior side wall414 of the tipping bucket 314.

The tipping bucket 314 is pivotably secured with the bucket holder 316enabling the tipping bucket to transition between a first position withthe first face 408 of the extended wall 406 aligned with the loweraperture 306 to direct water dripping from the lower aperture into thefirst rain bucket 402, and a second position with the second face 410 ofthe extended wall 406 aligned with the lower aperture 306 to directwater dripping from the lower aperture into the second rain bucket.Accordingly, when in the tipping bucket is in the first position theextended wall is tilted at a first acute angle relative to an axisextending perpendicular through the lower aperture with the first facealigned with that axis extending perpendicular through the loweraperture. Alternatively, when the tipping bucket is in the secondposition the extended wall is tilted at a second acute angle relative tothe axis extending perpendicular through the lower aperture, and whichis a mirrored angle of the first acute angle, with the second facealigned with that axis extending perpendicular through the loweraperture.

The sensor system further includes one or more trigger detectors 322 orswitches positioned relative to the trigger 320 and configured toactivate in response to the trigger 320 passing within a thresholddistance of the trigger detector, and to output a tip signal to thesensor control circuit 312 and/or the transceiver 114. In someembodiments, the trigger 320 is a magnet or other structure that can bewirelessly detected by the trigger detector 322. For example, thetrigger 320 may include a magnet and the trigger detector may include ahall effect sensor, reed switch, other such detector or a combination oftwo or more of such detectors. In some embodiments, the trigger 320 issecured relative to the extended wall 406 and transitions in accordancewith the tipping of the tipping bucket 314 between a first station whenthe tipping bucket is in the first position, and a second station whenthe tipping bucket is in the second position. Each time the tippingbucket tips, the trigger 320 passes within the threshold distance of thetrigger detector 322 to allow the trigger detector to detect the tippingtransition. Each tipping of the tipping bucket corresponds to apredefined accumulation of a volume or quantity of water. The tippingcauses the accumulated water to be tipped out of the bucket, andsubsequent rain captured by the funnel 302 is directed into the otherbucket that is in an elevated position relative to the other bucket. Thetipping bucket 314 is typically formed symmetrical and/or mirrored longthe extended wall between the first bucket and the second bucket. Eachof the first and second buckets are precisely configured to accumulatesubstantially the same, and typically the same volume or weight ofwater. Once the predefined accumulated quantity of water is captured,the tipping bucket tips to release the water from that bucket and causefurther water to be directed by the extended wall into the other of thetwo buckets until the predefined accumulation of water is captured inthat bucket causing a subsequent tipping. The tipping continues as therain continues. Each tipping is detected by the detector 322.

In some embodiments, the sensor system 102 is implemented with arelatively small size and/or occupying a relatively small volume. Otherconventional tipping rain bucket sensors typically have significantlylarger sizes to allow those other systems to fit the components of thesensor within the sensor systems and collect sufficient quantities ofrain. Further, other sensor systems often do not include temperaturesensors or the temperature sensors are separated from the rain sensor,such as in a separate housing, or secured external to the rain sensor.The current sensor system 102, however, provides a reduced size in partby shifting the tipping bucket 314 out of a central alignment with thefunnel 302 and/or a central axis of the sensor system. This is counterintuitive to an expected optimal operation because this shift out ofdirect axial alignment of the tipping bucket would be expected to resultin a failure to direct all of the water captured by the funnel into oneof the buckets 402, 404. Further, those skilled in the art wouldtypically consider such a mis-alignment to be detrimental to the sensorsystem, e.g., by causing less than all of the water dripping to land inthe bucket, causing a mis-balance of the bucket, and so on.

In some embodiments of the sensor system 102, however, the funnel 302 ispositioned with the lower aperture 306 at least partially mis-alignedfrom a longitudinal central axis 328 of the tipping bucket 314. In someimplementations, for example, the funnel 302 is positioned with thelower aperture 306 positioned about an axis 326, which may coincide witha central axis of the sensor system 102. Further, a central longitudinalaxis 328 of the tipping bucket 314, which is perpendicular to the axisabout which the tipping bucket tips, is off-set from and not alignedwith the central axis 326 and not aligned with the lower aperture of thefunnel. Shifting the tipping bucket 314 provides additional space withinthe central housing 204 and/or funnel housing 202 to position thetrigger detector 322 and/or a circuit board with which the triggerdetector is mounted, which in part enables a reduced volume and size ofthe sensor system. Further, in some embodiments, the temperature sensor310 is positioned below the rain sensor and vertically aligned with atleast a portion of the tipping bucket 314. Accordingly, dimensions ofthe sensor system can be further reduced by positioning the temperaturesensor below and at least partially aligned with the tipping bucket.

Further, with the off-set between the central portion of the tippingbucket 314 and the lower aperture 306, some embodiments are configuredto position the bottom of the funnel and the aperture 306 to berelatively close to the tipping bucket 314. In some embodiments, thefunnel 302 comprises a drip extension 332 that extends from the loweraperture 306, and the end of the drip extension 332 is positioned to bewithin a threshold vertical separation distance from upper edges 416,418 of opposing lateral side walls of the tipping bucket. The verticalseparation provides a margin of error in mounting the sensor system. Itis anticipated that in some instances, the sensor system may not bemounted in a completely vertical orientation. Accordingly, the verticalseparation provides at least some compensation for the fact that waterfrom the funnel will drip vertically even when the sensor system is notvertically mounted in order to ensure, within threshold margins, waterfrom the lower aperture at least contacts the lateral sides of thetipping bucket to be directed to and captured by one of the first andsecond buckets. FIG. 3D illustrates a partial, simplified side view ofan exemplary tipping bucket 314 relative to the funnel 302 and dripextension 332 when the sensor system is mounted at an angle 330 fromvertical, in accordance with some embodiments. In some applications, forexample, the threshold vertical separation distance (Y) is proportionalto a lateral distance (X) between the end of the drip extension and theupper edge 416 of the opposing side wall upon which the trigger 320 ispositioned (and in some instances, the lateral side wall closest to thedrip extension) and a mounting threshold tilt angle 330 away fromvertical (e.g., less than 20 degrees, and typically less than 15 degreesaway from vertical). In some embodiments, the drip extension 332 extendsfrom the lower aperture, and an end of the drip extension is positionedat least level with the upper edge 416 of the opposing lateral sidewalls of the tipping bucket extending from the extended wall 406. Insome embodiments, the sensor system 102 may include one or more levelindicators 226 (e.g., translucent tube with a bubble within coloredliquid, digital alignment system (e.g., gyroscopic sensor,accelerometer, etc.), or the like) positioned on an exterior and/orinterior of the housing of the sensor system to assist the user inmounting the sensor system and orienting the sensor system.

As described above, when the tipping bucket 314 tips, for example, fromthe first position to the second position, the accumulated quantity ofwater flows out of the first bucket 402. With the temperature sensor 310being positioned below the tipping bucket, some embodiments furtherinclude a protection diaphragm 702 positioned between the rain sensorand the temperature sensor 310. FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view ofan interior of an exemplary central housing 204 (where the funnelhousing 202 is not being illustrated) with the bucket holder 316 securedwithin the central housing and the tipping bucket 314 secured with thebucket holder, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 8 illustratesan elevated perspective view of an exemplary central housing 204comprising the protection diaphragm 702, in accordance with someembodiments. FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of anexemplary central housing 204 and the temperature sensor 310, inaccordance with some embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 7-9, the protectiondiaphragm 702 is position between the tipping bucket 314 and thetemperature sensor 310. In some embodiments, diaphragm is positioned todirect water dumped from the first and second buckets 402 and 404 awayfrom the temperature sensor 310. The diaphragm can, in someapplications, include a water disbursement plate 704, and one or moredrain apertures 706, grates, grills or the like. The water disbursementplate 704 extends over the temperature sensor 310 and to the pluralityof drain apertures 706 causing rain water released by the first andsecond rain buckets to drain through the drain apertures away from thetemperature sensor. Accordingly, the temperature sensor 310 can bepositioned at least partially in alignment with the tipping bucket 314while water released from the tipping bucket is directed away from thetemperature sensor. By incorporating the temperature sensor under thetipping bucket, the sensor system can be implemented with a reduced sizethan other tipping bucket sensor systems.

In some embodiments, the bucket holder 316 is secured with the diaphragm702 such that the tipping bucket 314 is separated from the diaphragm bya distance. For example, in some applications, the diaphragm 702comprises one or more tab mountings 710 each configured to receive atleast a portion of one or more tabs 602 of the bucket holder 316, and/orthe bucket holder may include one or more tab mountings 710 configuredto receive at least a portion of a tab of the diaphragm. In someimplementations, for example, the bucket holder includes at least oneflexible tab 602, and in some instances at least a pair of flexible tabs602 positioned on opposing sides and each comprising lateral ridges 604,steps, ledges, or the like configured to engage the tab mountings 710and secure the bucket holder with the diaphragm 702. The diaphragm, insome embodiments, comprises one or more protrusions 812 extending froman upper surface of the diaphragm and each protrusion comprising arecess forming the tab mountings 710 and configured to receive at leasta portion of a corresponding and aligned one of the lateral ridges 604of a corresponding one of the flexible tabs 602. In otherimplementations, the protrusions 812 may include flexible tabs, lateralridges, ledges or the like that can mate with recesses and/or holesformed in the bucket holder. In yet other embodiments, the bucket holdermay be formed as part of the diaphragm 702.

The bucket holder 316, in some embodiments, includes a pair of pivotposts 608, pegs, bumps, or other such supports extending laterally.Similarly, the tipping bucket includes a pair of pivot apertures 610,cavities, recesses or the like, each configured to mate with arespective one of the pair of pivot posts 608 enabling the tippingbucket to pivot along the tipping axis extending through the pivotposts. In some embodiments, one of the pivot posts is larger than theother, and similarly one of the pivot apertures is larger than theother. This configuration ensures proper assembly, orientation and/orreplacement of the tipping bucket. The proper assembly ensures that thetrigger 320 is oriented in a correct direction to be accurately detectedby the trigger detector 322 as the tipping bucket tips between the firstand second positions. In other implementations, the coupling between thebucket holder and the tipping bucket is reversed, with the tippingbucking having the pivot posts and the bucket holder having pivotapertures. In yet other implementations, each of the bucket holder andthe tipping bucket may include one of each of a pivot post and a pivotaperture to mate accordingly. This ensures accurate assembly and/orreplacement of the tipping bucket. Further, in some embodiments one orboth of the tipping bucket and the bucket holder may include pivot earsthat extend to position the respective pivot posts and pivot aperturesat desired dimensions to provide a separation in distance between thetipping bucket and the bucket holder to provide a desired arch of motionand/or degree of rotation of the tipping bucket to effectively tip thetipping bucket to release the accumulated water.

Further, some embodiments include a set of one or more louvres or louvreplates 214 that provide some additional protection for the temperaturesensor 310 from the tipped rain water and adverse weather conditions,while still ensuring the temperature sensor is exposed to ambienttemperatures and wind. The set of multiple louvre plates 214 arepositioned below the diaphragm 702 and about the temperature sensor. Forexample, a set of three louvre plates can be stacked with thetemperature sensor positioned between the diaphragm and a top mostlouvre plate. FIG. 10 shows an exposed perspective view of an exemplaryset of louvre plates 214 positioned relative to an exemplary temperaturesensor 310 and the tipping bucket 314 positioned on the bucket holder316 (with the diaphragm 702 removed for illustrative purposes), inaccordance with some embodiments. FIG. 11 shows an exposed perspectiveview of the exemplary set of louvre plates 214 positioned relative to anexemplary temperature sensor 310, with the set of louvre platescooperated with the base housing 206 (with the diaphragm 702 removed forillustrative purposes), in accordance with some embodiments. In someimplementations, the set of louvre plates are separate from the basehousing and can be cooperated with the base housing, for example,through one or more bolts, rivets, snap-fittings, compression fitting,other such coupling methods or combination of two or more of suchcoupling methods.

In some embodiments, one or more of the louvre plates is formed withcurved perimeter sides 1002 tapering away from the diaphragm 702 andoutward from the central axis 326. In some instances, the curvedperimeter sides of the top most louvre plate vertically align with thedrain apertures 706 of the diaphragm 702 to direct water dropping fromthe drain apertures out away from the central axis 326 and thetemperature sensor 310. Further, each louvre plate can be spaced fromthe other of the louvre plates establishing air gaps between the louvreplates and exposing the temperature sensor to ambient air while limitingrain water from contacting the temperature sensor. In some embodiments,an upper louvre plate may be positioned with at least a portion of theplate positioned between the temperature sensor 310 and the diaphragm702, with an exterior lower edge 1004 extending below a plane definedalong a bottom of the temperature sensor.

As illustrated in at least FIGS. 3A and 11, some embodiments include oneor more control boards 216 with which at least electrical components ofthe sensor system 102 are mounted, and in some instances provideselectrical coupling (e.g., through metal trace on and/or within thecontrol board) between two or more of the components. For example, thecontrol board may be formed as a printed circuit board (PCB), a mountingboard with electrical trace, or other such board. FIG. 12 illustrates aperspective view of an exemplary control board 216 and exemplary powersource holder 1206, in accordance with some embodiments. In someimplementations, for example, the sensor control circuit 312, thetrigger detector 322 and the temperature sensor 310 are coupled to andtypically electrically coupled with the control board 216. The controlboard, in some applications, further includes a power source couplers1202, 1204 configured to electrically couple with a removable powersource (e.g., battery, power cell, etc.) and conduct power from thepower source to the one or more components of the sensor systemelectrically coupled with the control board. In some embodiments, thesensor system 102 includes one or more removable power source holders1206 that is configured to be removed to allow a power source (e.g.,button battery) to be cooperated with the power source holder orreplaced, and then reinserted to a predefined position to cause thepower source to contact the power source couplers 1202, 1204. The powersource holder 1206, in some implementations, includes a holder base1208, and a power source retaining slot 1210 cooperated with and in someinstances extending from the holder base and configured to retain atleast one removable power source. In some embodiments, the holder baseis configured to cooperate with the base housing 206, and in someinstances secure the power source holder 1206 with the base housing.Further, the power source holder 1206, in some applications includes oneor more catch arms 1214 with catches 1216 proximate ends distal from theholder base 1208. The catches 1216 can be configured to catch on part ofthe base housing 206 so that the power source holder 1206 stays incontact with the sensor system after the power source holder is pulledout of the sensor source system providing a user with access to insertand/or replace a power source without the entire power source holder1206. Further, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the catch arms1214 are not secured with the control board and are configured to flexat least proximate the catches 1216. As such, a user can apply pressureto the catch arms proximate the catches (e.g., compress the armstogether or push the arms apart) to allow the user to disengage thecatches 1216 from the base housing 206 and completely remove the powersource holder 1206 from the sensor system 102, and similarly return thepower source holder to the sensor system.

In some embodiments, one or more indicators 1220 (e.g., lights, LEDs,audio generators, etc.) may be cooperated with the control board 216 andelectrically coupled with the power source and/or the sensor controlcircuit 312. Typically, these indicators are visible and/or audible to auser from an exterior of the sensor system. These indicators can beactivated in response to a power source being accurately coupled withthe power source couplers 1202, 1204, and/or activated by the sensorcontrol system. The activation and/or deactivation of the indicatorsprovide information to a user regarding one or more operating states ofthe sensor system. For example, in some implementations an LED 1220 ispositioned proximate the holder base 1208 and light from the LED isvisible from an exterior of the sensor housing. The holder base 1208and/or the base housing 206 may, for example, include a lens coveredaperture 224 (e.g., see FIG. 2F) allowing the user to see light from theLED. This LED can be activated when a power source is electricallycoupled with the powers source couplers 1202, 1204 to notify a user thatthe power source (and thus the power source holder 1206) is properlyinstalled within the sensor system. Additionally or alternatively, insome embodiments some or all of the power source holder 1206 is formedfrom an optically propagating light conductive material providing a waveguide. An LED 1220 can be positioned proximate the power source holder(e.g., proximate one of the catches 1216). When the LED is activated,the light from the LED is propagated by the power source holder to causelight to be emitted through some or all of the holder base 1208 and bedetected from an exterior of the sensor system by a user.

In some embodiments, the sensor system includes a control board cavity336 configured to receive and hold the control board 216. FIG. 13illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary base housing 206 with acontrol board 216 cooperated with the base housing, in accordance withsome embodiments. Referring to at least FIGS. 3A, 7-9, 11 and 13, insome applications the control board cavity 336 is separated from a mainsensor cavity in which the tipping bucket 314 is maintained to, in part,provide protection for the control board and electrical componentscooperated with the control board. For example, in some embodiments, thecentral housing 204, which is positioned about the tipping bucket 314,includes a first partial control board cavity 802 separated by a firstcontrol board cavity wall 804 from the main sensor cavity and thetipping bucket. Similarly, the base housing 206 can include a secondpartial control board cavity 1302. The base housing 206 is configured tocooperated with the central housing 204 cooperating the first partialcontrol board cavity 802 and the second partial control board cavity1302 forming the control board cavity. The control board 216 can bemounted within the control board cavity. In some embodiments, leads ofthe temperature sensor extend through the first control board cavitywall 804 to electrically couple with the control board and/or sensorcontrol circuit.

In some embodiments, the holder base 1208 of the power source holder1206 is configured to secure with the base housing 206 and close thecontrol board cavity (e.g., see FIG. 2F) while aligning at least oneremovable power source with the power source couplers, and in someinstances provide a water tight seal and sealing the control boardcavity. In some implementations, one or more gaskets, ring seals, or thelike may be cooperated with the holder base and/or cooperated with areceiving port of the base housing 206 to establish a water tight seal.A “coin” recess 1222 may be formed in the holder base 1208 to receive aportion of a coin, screwdriver, finger nail or other object that can beused by the user to pry out the power source holder 1206.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of an exemplary sensor system 102 with thefunnel housing 202 opened relative to the central housing 204, inaccordance with some embodiments. The sensor system 102 can beconfigured to allow a user to clean and/or perform other maintenance andrepairs to the sensor system. In some embodiments, the funnel housing202 and/or the debris frame 210 can be removed and/or moved to an openposition exposing the interior main sensor cavity and at least thetipping bucket 314. The funnel housing 202 can be hingedly or pivotablycoupled with the central housing 204 through one or more snap C-groovesand corresponding rods, hinge loops and pins, and/or other such methods.As such, the pivot coupling provides a clam-shell or jaw openingoperation of the funnel housing relative to central housing. This allowsthe funnel housing to be opened to expose and provide access to the mainsensor cavity and at least the tipping bucket 314. With access to themain sensor cavity, a user can clean out the main sensor cavity toremove debris and clean and/or repair the tipping bucket.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2G, 3A-3D, 7-8 and 14, the funnel housing 202 canrotatably pivot relative to the central housing to pivot the funnel 302away from the tipping bucket 314 and provide access to an interior ofthe sensor system including at least access to the tipping bucket. Insome embodiments, the central housing 204 comprises an elongated opening814 at a front surface exposing the tipping bucket 314 and in someinstances the bucket holder 316. Similarly, the funnel housing 202 maycomprise an extended or elongated opening cover 1402 having dimensionsat least equal to and typically greater than the elongated opening 814such that when the funnel housing is rotated into the closed positionthe elongated opening cover 1402 covers the elongated opening 814. Insome implementations, the central housing 204 may include a recessed lip816 that is recessed from an exterior surface of the central housing andextending generally parallel with the exterior housing. The recessed lip816 may extend about the perimeter of the top of opening of the centralhousing where the central housing is intended to contact the funnelhousing 202. The funnel housing may be configured to mate with therecessed lip. In some applications, for example, the funnel housing mayinclude an extended lip 1404 that has a reduced thickness along aportion of the perimeter of lower portions of the funnel housing andconfigured to mate with the recessed lip 816 of the central housing.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the elongatedopening cover 1402 and/or the elongated opening 814 may include a seal,gasket or the like that limits or prevents rain from entering thecentral main sensor cavity, defined by the central housing and withinwhich the tipping bucket is positioned, without passing through thefunnel and into one of the buckets of the tipping bucket. In someembodiments the funnel housing is pivotably coupled with the centralhousing to enclose the rain sensor tipping bucket and the temperaturesensor.

Further, some embodiments are configured such that the debris frame 210and debris screen 212 are removable from the funnel housing 202. In someimplementations, for example, the debris frame includes tabs 220 thatlatch, snap into and/or otherwise secure with grooves 222, recesses,apertures, protrusions or the like formed in the funnel housing 202. Forexample, the tabs 220 may elastically flex when being cooperated withthe funnel housing 202 and snap fit with one or more grooves 222,protrusions and/or openings of the funnel housing to secure the debrisframe with the funnel housing. The ability to remove the debris frameenables a user to clean the funnel 302, remove debris trapped in thefunnel, unclog the lower aperture 306 and perform other suchmaintenance.

Other embodiments do not include the elongated opening 814 and elongatedopening cover 1402. For example, in some embodiments, the funnel housing202 is level or substantially level at a lower end to mate with a levelor substantially level upper end of the central housing 204. FIG. 15illustrates an overhead perspective view of an exemplary sensor system102, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 16 illustrates a lowerperspective view of the exemplary sensor system 102 of FIG. 15, inaccordance with some embodiments. The funnel housing 202 snap fits withthe central housing 204 through one or more tongue and grooves, flexibletaps, compression points, latches, and/or other such methods of securingthe funnel housing with the central housing. The dimensions of thefunnel housing can be configured to extend low enough along a depth ofthe main sensor cavity so that once removed a user can readily reachinto the main sensor cavity to remove debris (e.g., resting on thediaphragm) and otherwise clean out the main sensor cavity, and/orperform other maintenance of the sensor system.

Further, in some implementations, the sensor system does not include aseparate base housing, and instead the central housing extends all theway to the base 1504. Similarly, in some embodiments, the set of louvreplates 214 can be formed as part of the central housing and notdetachable from the central housing. For example, in some embodiments,the central housing is formed through injection molding to form as asingle continuous piece including the central housing, the base housing,the set of louvre plates, the diaphragm, and the threaded mounting stem.The debris frame may further be configured to readily detach from thefunnel housing in response to a threshold pressure and/or upon a userdisassociating one or more taps or other such securing structures.

As introduced above, the first and second buckets 402, 404 areconfigured to collect a predefined accumulated amount of water beforethe tipping bucket 314 tips. Accordingly, the sensor system isconfigured to communicate an indication of specific quantities of waterdetected over time by tracking each tip of the tipping bucket. This isin contrast to other rain sensor systems that utilize one or morehygroscopic disks or other such absorption material that triggers aswitch based on an expansion of the disks in response to absorbingwater. For example, some other rain sensor systems utilize a sensor thatincludes a stack of hygroscopic disks that expand when exposed to waterand contract when water evaporates away. An electrical signal isproduced by a sensor, where the signal corresponds to the amount ofexpansion of the disks. Such systems, however, typically cannotdetermine a quantity of rain received, and cannot continue trackquantities received once the disks are expanded. Alternatively, thepresent sensor system 102 utilizes the tipping rain bucket sensor todetect and communicate detected rain signals corresponding to apredefined specific amount of accumulated rain in response to eachtipping of the rain bucket.

The controller interface system 104, which is separate from andcommunicatively coupled with the sensor system 102, receives the rainsignals and/or rain data identifying an amount of water received.Further, the sensor system 102 can communicate temperature sensor datathat is received at the controller interface system. The controllerinterface system can determine when a summation of accumulated rain overa threshold period of time is greater than a predefined firstaccumulated rain threshold. This first accumulated rain threshold may beuser specified through a user interface of the controller interfacesystem. In other instances, the first accumulated rain threshold may beset as a default within memory of the controller interface system. Theinterface control circuit is configured to interrupt activation of thevalves when the summation of accumulated rain is greater than the firstaccumulated rain threshold. Further, the interface control circuittracks the time of the interruption. In some embodiments, the interfacecontrol circuit identifies when a defined first resume irrigationthreshold time period has expired since a last of the rain signals isreceived and/or a time since a last predefined quantity of rain wasdetected by the sensor system. The first resume irrigation thresholdtime period may be user defined, defined within memory of the controllerinterface system (e.g., based on duration of rain, quantity of rain,other such factors, or combination of such factors), or the like. Whenthe defined first resume irrigation threshold time period has expiredthe interface control circuit is configured to remove the interruptionof the activation of the valves to allow further activation of thevalves by the irrigation controller. This can include, for example,closing a switch to close the common line 122. In some embodiments, theinterface control circuit in removing the interruption is configured toidentify that the first resume irrigation threshold period of time is tobe used from a set of multiple resume irrigation threshold periods as afunction of a total amount of accumulation of rain detected and aduration of the accumulation.

In some embodiments, the control interface system 104 includes a userinterface that allows the user to enter parameters into the controllerinterface system and/or obtain information from the controller interfacesystem. FIG. 17 illustrates a simplified view of an exemplary controllerinterface system 104, in accordance with some embodiments. Thecontroller interface includes a user interface comprising one or moredisplays 1702, and user inputs 1704 (e.g., buttons, touch screen,trackball, etc.). FIG. 18A illustrates a simplified representation of auser interface 1800 that can be utilized with the controller interfacesystem 104, in accordance with some embodiments. Typically, all of theinformation represented is not displayed at the same time, and insteadis illustrated to provide representative examples of the type ofinformation that may be presented and how the information may bepresented (e.g., textual, pictorial, etc.). In the example of FIG. 18A,the information may correspond to rain information with a pictorialrepresentation of a quantity of water detected 1802, numeric quantity ofrain 1804 (e.g., in inches or metric), whether irrigation is interrupted1806, number of days to delay irrigation 1808, a current day during thedelay 1810, a current temperature and/or setting a threshold temperature1812, whether there is a hold to override the sensor 1814 (e.g., 48 hr.hold, 72 hr. hold), a pictorial representation of remaining batterypower 1816, wireless communication strength 1818, pictorialrepresentation of rain status 1820, and interruption indicator due torain 1822. FIG. 18B illustrates additional or alternative representationof information provided through the user interface. In some instances,for example, the display may depict a pictorial representation of aquantity of water detected and/or quantity of water relative to athreshold 1802, whether irrigation is interrupted 1806, number of daysto delay irrigation 1808, a current day during the delay 1810, a currenttemperature and/or setting a threshold temperature 1812, whether thereis a hold to override the sensor 1814 (e.g., 48 hr. hold, 72 hr. hold),a pictorial representation of remaining battery power 1816, wirelesscommunication strength 1818, pictorial representation of rain status1820, interruption indicator due to rain 1822, and/or an interruptionindicator due to temperature 1824.

FIG. 18C illustrates an interface allowing a user to set a minimumrainfall before interruption is to occur 1830, and interruption delaysin hours 1832. FIG. 18D illustrates an exemplary representation of adisplayed user interface providing status information, such as but notlimited to pairing 1836 between controller interface system 104 and asensor system 102, whether to bypass interruption 1838, reactivating apairing process 1840, saving data 1842, resetting settings 1844, and/orother such information. FIG. 18E illustrates another representative userinterface display that additionally includes a pictorial representationof a current temperature 1848 and potential set temperature thresholds.FIG. 18F illustrates a simplified representation of a controllerinterface system 104 with a user interface that includes user inputs1704 and a display 1702, in accordance with some embodiments. In thisrepresentation, the user interface is displaying relevant numericinformation about current temperature 1852, a numeric indication of aquantity of detected rainfall 1854 (e.g., “0.8 in”), a pictorialrepresentation of an indication that rain is being detected 1856, and apictorial representation of a quantity of water detected 1858. FIG. 18Ffurther illustrates other potential alphanumeric and pictorialrepresentations that be displayed to the user (e.g., an indication ofirrigation delay 1860, pictorial representation that irrigation isinterrupted because of temperature 1862, an indication that there is nocommunication connection with the sensor system 1864, that irrigationinterrupted 1866, and the like). FIG. 18G illustrates a simplifiedrepresentation of a controller interface system 104 with a userinterface that includes user inputs 1704 and a display 1702, inaccordance with some embodiments. In this representation, the userinterface is displaying a pictorial representation of an indication of aquantity of rain detected 1856 and one or more rain thresholds 1870, andan indication of a current temperature 1852. FIG. 18G furtherillustrates other potential alphanumeric and/or pictorial informationsimilar to those described above in accordance with some implementationsand/or states of operation. FIG. 18H illustrates a simplifiedrepresentation of a controller interface system 104 with a userinterface that includes user inputs 1704 and a display 1702, inaccordance with some embodiments. In this representation, the userinterface is displaying a pictorial representation of an indication of aquantity of rain detected 1856, a pictorial indication that irrigationis interrupted 1866, and an estimated duration of time remaining beforean interrupt is removed 1874 and one or more rain thresholds 1870, andan indication of a current temperature 1852. FIG. 18G furtherillustrates other potential alphanumeric and/or pictorial informationsimilar to those described above in accordance with some implementationsand/or states of operation.

FIG. 19 illustrates a simplified flow diagram of an exemplary process1900 of controlling irrigation through an external interrupt, inaccordance with some embodiments. In step 1902, the sensor controlcircuit 312 receives a tip signal corresponding to a predefinedaccumulation of water. In step 1904, the sensor control circuitadditionally or alternatively receives temperature data from thetemperature sensor 310. In step 1906, one or more rain signals and/orone or more temperature data signals is communicated to the controllerinterface system 104. Typically, the rain signal is wirelesslycommunicated.

In step 1908, the interface control circuit 116 receives thecommunicated rain signal corresponding to an amount of accumulated rainin response to each tipping of the rain sensor and/or one or moretemperature data signals. In step 1910, the interface control circuitdetermines when a summation of accumulated rain over a first thresholdperiod of time is greater than a user defined and/or one or more systemdefined first accumulated rain threshold. Additionally or alternatively,in step 1912, the interface control circuit determines when the currentambient temperature is less than a user defined and/or one or moresystem defined temperature threshold.

In step 1914, the activation of the valves is interrupted when one orboth the summation of accumulated rain is greater than the firstaccumulated rain threshold and/or the current ambient temperature isless than the temperature threshold. In step 1916, it is identified whena last rain signal is received relative to a threshold period of time.In step 1918 it is determined when a threshold irrigation delay durationhas expired since the last rain signal is received. In some embodimentsthe user can set a threshold irrigation delay duration to applyfollowing a rain event. For example, the interface control circuit mayidentify when a user defined first resume irrigation threshold timeperiod has expired since a last of the rain signals is received. Thisdelay allows the plant life to utilize the rain water instead ofreceiving further irrigation water. Additionally or alternatively, thecontroller interface system may determine a threshold irrigation delayto apply based on a duration and/or a quantity of water received duringone or more irrigation events. In step 1920 it is determined when thecurrent temperature has exceeded the temperature threshold. In step1922, the interruption of the activation of the valves is removed toallow further activation of the valves by the irrigation controller.

Further, the circuits, circuitry, systems, devices, processes, methods,techniques, functionality, services, servers, sources and the likedescribed herein may be utilized, implemented and/or run on manydifferent types of devices and/or systems. FIG. 20 illustrates anexemplary system 2000 that may be used for implementing any of thecomponents, circuits, circuitry, systems, functionality, apparatuses,processes, or devices of the sensor system 102, the controller interfacesystem 104, the irrigation controller 106, control circuits, and/orother above or below mentioned systems, circuits or devices, or parts ofsuch circuits, circuitry, functionality, systems, apparatuses,processes, or devices. However, the use of the system 2000 or anyportion thereof is certainly not required.

By way of example, the system 2000 may comprise a control circuit orprocessor module 2012, memory 2014, and one or more communication links,paths, buses or the like 2018. Some embodiments may include one or moreuser interface 2016, and/or one or more internal and/or external powersources or supplies 2040. The control circuit 2012 can be implementedthrough one or more processors, microprocessors, central processingunit, logic, local digital storage, firmware, software, and/or othercontrol hardware and/or software, and may be used to execute or assistin executing the steps of the processes, methods, functionality andtechniques described herein, and control various communications,decisions, programs, content, listings, services, interfaces, logging,reporting, etc. Further, in some embodiments, the control circuit 2012can be part of control circuitry and/or a control system 2010, which maybe implemented through one or more processors with access to one or morememory 2014 that can store instructions, code and the like that isimplemented by the control circuit and/or processors to implementintended functionality. Again, the system 2000 may be used to implementone or more of the above or below, or parts of, components, circuits,systems, processes and the like. For example, the system may implementthe sensor system 102 with the control circuit 2012 being a sensorcontrol circuit 312, the controller interface system with the controlcircuit 2012 being an interface control circuit 116, the irrigationcontroller 106 with an irrigation control circuit 112, or othercomponents.

The user interface 2016 can allow a user to interact with the system2000 and receive information through the system. In some instances, theuser interface 2016 includes a display 2022 and/or one or more userinputs 2024, such as buttons, touch screen, track ball, keyboard, mouse,etc., which can be part of or wired or wirelessly coupled with thesystem 2000. Typically, the system 2000 further includes one or morecommunication interfaces, ports, transceivers 2020 and the like allowingthe system 2000 to wired and/or wirelessly communicate over acommunication link (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, etc.), bus, adistributed computer and/or communication network (e.g., a local areanetwork (LAN), the Internet, wide area network (WAN), etc.),communication link 2018, other networks or communication channels withother devices and/or other such communications or combination of two ormore of such communication methods. Further the transceiver 2020 can beconfigured for wired, wireless, optical, fiber optical cable, satellite,or other such communication configurations or combinations of two ormore of such communications. Some embodiments include one or moreinput/output (I/O) ports 2034 that allow one or more devices to couplewith the system 2000. The I/O ports can be substantially any relevantport or combinations of ports, such as but not limited to USB, Ethernet,or other such ports. The I/O interface 2034 can be configured to allowwired and/or wireless communication coupling to external components. Forexample, the I/O interface can provide wired communication and/orwireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, RF, and/orother such wireless communication), and in some instances may includeany known wired and/or wireless interfacing device, circuit and/orconnecting device, such as but not limited to one or more transmitters,receivers, transceivers, or combination of two or more of such devices.

The system 2000 comprises an example of a control and/or processor-basedsystem with the control circuit 2012. Again, the control circuit 2012can be implemented through one or more processors, controllers, centralprocessing units, logic, software and the like. Further, in someimplementations the control circuit 2012 may provide multiprocessorfunctionality.

The memory 2014, which can be accessed by the control circuit 2012,typically includes one or more processor readable and/or computerreadable media accessed by at least the control circuit 2012, and caninclude volatile and/or nonvolatile media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM,flash memory and/or other memory technology. Further, the memory 2014 isshown as internal to the control system 2010; however, the memory 2014can be internal, external or a combination of internal and externalmemory. Similarly, some or all of the memory 2014 can be internal,external or a combination of internal and external memory of the controlcircuit 2012. The external memory can be substantially any relevantmemory such as, but not limited to, solid-state storage devices ordrives, hard drive, one or more of universal serial bus (USB) stick ordrive, flash memory secure digital (SD) card, other memory cards, andother such memory or combinations of two or more of such memory, andsome or all of the memory may be distributed at multiple locations overa computer network. The memory 2014 can store code, software,executables, scripts, data, content, lists, programming, programs, logor history data, user information, customer information, productinformation, and the like. While FIG. 20 illustrates the variouscomponents being coupled together via a bus, it is understood that thevarious components may actually be coupled to the control circuit and/orone or more other components directly.

In some embodiments, the system utilizes a tipping rain bucket basedrainfall accumulation sensor within a size profile considerably smallerthan known tipping rain bucket sensors. The controller interface systemapplies interrupt or cutoff algorithms to identify when to interrupt andwhen to resume irrigation based on the wirelessly received rainfallmeasurements from the tipping rain bucket-based sensor and/or thetemperature sensor. The sensor system is configured to allow rain toenter the funnel that directs the captured rain to fill a first bucketof a tipping bucket resting on a pivot or tipping axis. When the firstbucket is filled to a predefined accumulated quantity, the tippingbucket tips about the tipping axis and the water spills out of the firstbucket, and subsequent rain water is funneled into a second bucket ofthe tipping bucket. When the second bucket is filled with the predefinedaccumulation of water, the tipping bucket again tips causing the waterin the second bucket to spill out. In some implementations, the tippingbucket is off center from the apertures of the funnel providing a moreefficient use of space and allowing the sensor system to be smaller.Every time the tipping bucket tips it is detected by the triggerdetector (e.g., magnetic switch), and a pulse is outputted to the sensorcontrol circuit. In some instances, the sensor control circuit causes atip signal to be communicated to the controller interface system inresponse to each tip of the tipping bucket. In other instances, thesensor control circuit tracks a number of tips and communicates a signalcorresponding to the sum of the number of tips. The number of tipsand/or signals over time indicate the amount of received rainfall overtime. The sensor system communicates the number of tip pulses receivedover time and/or outputs a wireless signal for every pulse that iscounted as it occurs. Further, the sensor system is configured toprotect the temperature sensor from the water tipped from the rainbucket.

In some embodiments, the sensor system 102 is battery powered andincludes the tipping rain bucket components, a thermistor-basedtemperature sensor, the sensor control circuit, which may be implementedthrough one or more microcontrollers, and a wireless transceiver. Thesensor system may be implemented with a jaw or hinged funnel housingthat is pivoted open to allow access to at least some of the internalcomponents including the sensor system, including the tipping bucketthat tips either way about a pivot axis. Water enters the sensor systemthough a mesh debris screen or at the top, is directed by the funnel tothe aperture and drips into one of the two buckets of the tipping bucket314. Again, in some embodiments, a longitudinal central axis of thetipping bucket is out of alignment with the aperture to improve the useof space and in part reduce the size of the sensor system. When thetipping bucket tips too much in one direction, the water spills out ofone bucket, and the other bucket beings to fill until that bucket beginsaccumulates the predefined threshold amount and the tipping bucket againtips the other direction. The excess water flows out over a diaphragm702 that directs the water out of drain apertures and over louvres 214and away from the sensor system (e.g., down to the ground). Thediaphragm guides the water away from a temperature sensor 310 positioneddirectly underneath the tipping bucket 314. The louvres serve to allowair flow for accurate temperature readings by the temperature sensor.The pivotable opening of the funnel housing allows easy access to theinternal components to inspect, service and/or easily replace ofcomponents. Additionally, in some implementations, the tipping bucket isoffset from the aperture 306 and funnel 302.

Relative to disk based sensor, the sensor system 102 is considerablymore accurate in terms of accumulation measurements and; thus, providesthe controller interface system 104 with a finer resolution and accuracyon the accumulation levels of rainfall. The controller interface system104 processes the received signals and determines whether to interruptirrigation based on user entered adjustable accumulation thresholdsand/or temperature thresholds, and when to resume irrigation (remove theinterruption) based on a resumption delay threshold. In someembodiments, the controller interface system causes an interruption whenthe accumulated amount of water within a given time period exceeds theuser defined threshold.

The controller interface system may remove the interruption to resumeirrigation automatically after expiration of a period of time (e.g., 48hours) after detecting the stopping of rain (e.g., detecting no furtherbucket movement over a threshold period of time). This is in contrast towaiting a period of time after the start of rainfall since it is unknownhow long the rainfall will last. It is further in contrast to resumingwhen it is determined that the accumulation has fallen back to a certainlevel of accumulation. The controller interface system can determine torelease the interruption automatically at different points depending onthe amount of accumulation and the time duration of the accumulation. Insome implementations, the user uses a user interface of the controllerinterface system to further define the technique used to determine theresumption of irrigation and/or adjust a resumption threshold at thecontroller interface system.

Some embodiments provide an irrigation sensor system, comprising: a rainfunnel comprising an upper opening and at least one wall tapering fromthe upper opening to a lower aperture; and a tipping bucket positionedto receive water falling from the lower aperture while the tippingbucket is positioned such that a central longitudinal axis of thetipping bucket is not aligned with an axis extending through the loweraperture of the funnel.

Further, some embodiments provide an external irrigation interruptionsystem, comprising: a rain funnel comprising an upper opening and atleast one wall tapering from the upper opening to a lower aperture; atipping rain bucket sensor comprising: a tipping bucket positionedaligned with the lower aperture of the funnel and comprising a firstrain bucket, a second rain bucket positioned adjacent the first rainbucket and an extended wall extending away from and between the firstand second rain buckets to alternately align a first face extending fromthe first rain bucket and a second face extending from the second rainbucket with the lower aperture; a bucket holder, wherein the tippingbucket is pivotably secured with the bucket holder enabling the tippingbucket to transition between a first position with the first face of theextended wall aligned with the aperture to direct water into the firstrain bucket and a second position with the second face of the extendedwall aligned with the aperture to direct water into the second rainbucket; and a trigger secured relative to the extended wall totransition between a first station when the tipping bucket is in thefirst position, and a second station when the tipping bucket is in thesecond position; a temperature sensor positioned below the rain sensorand vertically aligned with at least a portion of the tipping bucket; aprotection diaphragm positioned between the rain sensor and thetemperature sensor, and comprising water disbursement plate and aplurality of drain apertures, wherein the water disbursement plateextends over the temperature sensor and to the plurality of drainapertures causing rain water released by the first rain bucket and thesecond rain bucket to drain through the drain apertures away from thetemperature sensor; a trigger detector positioned relative to thetrigger and configured to activate in response to the trigger passingwithin a threshold distance of the trigger detector and output a tipsignal; a communication transceiver; and a sensor control circuitcommunicatively coupled with the trigger detector and the transceiver,wherein the sensor control circuit is configured to receive the tipsignals and cause the transceiver to transmit rain signals correspondingto a predefined amount of accumulated rain in response to the tipping ofthe tipping bucket.

Some embodiments provide irrigation interruption systems, comprising: asensor system comprising a sensor control circuit, a tipping rain bucketsensor and a temperature sensor wherein the rain sensor is configured tocommunicate rain signals corresponding to an amount of accumulated rainin response to each tipping of the rain sensor; an override controllerinterface system separate from and communicatively coupled with thesensor system, and comprising an interface control circuit; and anirrigation controller separate from the sensor system and the controllerinterface system, and comprising an irrigation control circuit, a set ofactivator output couplers configured to couple to remote irrigationvalves, and memory coupled to the irrigation control circuit andconfigured to store a watering schedule to be executed by the irrigationcontrol circuit and that defines when to turn on and off the irrigationvalves; wherein the interface control circuit is configured to receivethe rain signals and temperature sensor data from the sensor system,determine when a summation of accumulated rain over a first thresholdperiod of time is greater than a user defined first accumulated rainthreshold, interrupt activation of the valves when the summation ofaccumulated rain is greater than the first accumulated rain threshold,identify when a user defined first resume irrigation threshold timeperiod has expired since a last of the rain signals is received, andremove the interruption of the activation of the valves to allow furtheractivation of the valves by the irrigation controller.

Some embodiments provide methods of controlling irrigation through anexternal interrupt, comprising: receiving a tip signal from a tippingbucket corresponding to a predefined accumulation of water;communicating one or more rain signals to a separate controllerinterface system that is separate from an irrigation controller that isactivating irrigation valves; receiving, and the controller interfacesystem, the communicated rain signal corresponding to an amount ofaccumulated rain; determining when a summation of accumulated rain overa first threshold period of time is greater than a defined firstaccumulated rain threshold; interrupting the activation of the valveswhen the summation of accumulated rain is greater than the firstaccumulated rain threshold; identifying when a last rain signal isreceived relative to a threshold period of time; determining when athreshold irrigation delay duration has expired since the last rainsignal is received; and removing the interruption of the activation ofthe valves when the threshold irrigation delay duration has expiredsince the last rain signal is received.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of othermodifications, alterations, and combinations can also be made withrespect to the above described embodiments without departing from thescope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, andcombinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventiveconcept.

What is claimed is:
 1. An external irrigation interruption system,comprising: a rain funnel comprising an upper opening and at least onewall tapering from the upper opening to a lower aperture; a tipping rainbucket sensor comprising: a tipping bucket positioned aligned with thelower aperture of the funnel and comprising a first rain bucket, asecond rain bucket positioned adjacent the first rain bucket and anextended wall extending away from and between the first and second rainbuckets to alternately align a first face extending from the first rainbucket and a second face extending from the second rain bucket with thelower aperture; a bucket holder, wherein the tipping bucket is pivotablysecured with the bucket holder enabling the tipping bucket to transitionbetween a first position with the first face of the extended wallaligned with the aperture to direct water into the first rain bucket anda second position with the second face of the extended wall aligned withthe aperture to direct water into the second rain bucket; and a triggersecured relative to the extended wall to transition between a firststation when the tipping bucket is in the first position, and a secondstation when the tipping bucket is in the second position; a temperaturesensor positioned below the rain sensor and vertically aligned with atleast a portion of the tipping bucket; a protection diaphragm positionedbetween the tipping rain bucket sensor and the temperature sensor, andcomprising a water disbursement plate and a plurality of drainapertures, wherein the water disbursement plate extends over thetemperature sensor and to the plurality of drain apertures causing rainwater released by the first rain bucket and the second rain bucket todrain through the drain apertures away from the temperature sensor; atrigger detector positioned relative to the trigger and configured toactivate in response to the trigger passing within a threshold distanceof the trigger detector and output a tip signal; a communicationtransceiver; and a sensor control circuit communicatively coupled withthe trigger detector and the transceiver, wherein the sensor controlcircuit is configured to receive the tip signals and cause thetransceiver to transmit rain signals corresponding to a predefinedamount of accumulated rain in response to the tipping of the tippingbucket.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the tipping bucket ispositioned such that a central longitudinal axis of the tipping bucket,which is perpendicular to an axis about which the tipping bucket tips,is not aligned with the lower aperture of the funnel.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the funnel comprises a drip extension extending fromthe lower aperture, wherein an end of the drip extension is positionedat least level with upper edges of opposing side walls of the tippingbucket extending from the extended wall.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the funnel comprises a drip extension extending from the loweraperture, wherein the end of the drip extension is positioned to bewithin a threshold vertical separation distance from upper edges ofopposing side walls of the tipping bucket, wherein the thresholdvertical separation distance is proportional to a lateral distance (X)between the end of the drip extension and the upper edge of the opposingside walls and a threshold tilt angle from vertical.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a set of multiple louvre plates positionedbelow the diaphragm and about the temperature sensor, wherein eachlouvre plate comprises curved perimeter sides tapering away from thediaphragm and outward from the central axis, and each louvre plate isspaced from the other of the louvre plates establishing air gaps betweenthe louvre plates and exposing the temperature sensor to ambient airwhile limiting rain water from contacting the temperature sensor.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising: a central housing positionedabout the tipping bucket; and a funnel housing pivotably coupled withthe central housing, and comprising the funnel, wherein the funnelhousing rotatably pivots relative to the central housing to pivot thefunnel away from the tipping bucket and provide access to an interior ofthe sensor system including at least tipping bucket.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the bucket holder is secured with the diaphragm suchthat the tipping bucket is separated from the diaphragm by a distance.8. The system of claim 7, wherein the diaphragm comprises tab mountings;and the bucket holder comprises at least a pair of flexible tabs eachcomprising a lateral ridge configured to engage the tab mountings andsecure the bucket holder with the diaphragm.
 9. The system of claim 8,wherein the diaphragm comprises mounting at least a pair of protrusionsextending from the diaphragm and each protrusion comprising a recessforming the tab mountings and configured to receive at least a portionof a corresponding and aligned one of the lateral ridges of acorresponding one of the flexible tabs.
 10. The system of claim 1,further comprising: a central housing positioned about the tippingbucket, and comprising a first partial control board cavity separated bya first control board cavity wall from the tipping bucket; and a basehousing comprising a second partial control board cavity, wherein thebase housing is configured to cooperated with the central housingcooperating the first partial control board cavity and the secondpartial control board cavity forming a control board cavity; and acontrol board comprising the sensor control circuit, the triggerdetector and power source couplers electrically coupled with at leastthe sensor control circuit and the trigger detector, wherein the controlboard is mounted within the control board cavity.
 11. The system ofclaim 10, further comprising: a removable power source holder comprisinga holder base and a power source retaining slot extending from theholder base and configured to retain at least one removable powersource, and wherein the holder base is configured to close the controlboard cavity while aligning the at least one removable power source withthe power source couplers.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein thetipping rain bucket sensor further comprises a first wirelesstransceiver coupled with the sensor control circuit wherein the sensorcontrol circuit is configured to cause the first wireless transceiver towirelessly transmit the rain signals and the temperature sensor data,and the controller interface system comprises a second wirelesstransceiver communicatively coupled with the interface control circuitand configured to wirelessly receive the rain signals and thetemperature sensor data.